S3 Ep.1 More Then Words / The Survival Behind The Art With Mike

In this deep and emotional episode of ClockingOut, I reconnect with returning guest Miami Mike now repping Philly as Philly Mike to unpack the journey behind his powerful new creative project “The Ink Shelf.”⁠We explore how living with Graves’ disease shaped his mindset, how he turned trauma into art, and what it means to create from a place of survival and purpose. This conversation is raw, real, and inspiring from building a memoir in hospital beds, to collaborating with over 50+ artists, to launching a physical gallery-meets-bookstore experience.⁠If you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or anyone trying to turn pain into power this one’s for you.📚 Mike’s Memoir: Get Well Soon🎨 Project: The Ink Shelf🔗 Follow Mike (aka Miami Mike / Philly Mike)Instagram: @0xmiamimikeX / Twitter: @0xMiamiMike💡 Topics:Mental health & healing through creativityVulnerability as strengthBuilding in Web3 & IRLLessons from failure, faith, and the food industryAdvice for independent artists building community🧭 Chapters / TimestampsTime Topic00:00 Intro & Welcome Back to Mike01:39 How Mike's Mindset Changed Since Last Time03:07 The Origin of “The Ink Shelf”04:48 Designing an Immersive Creative Experience07:07 Living with Graves’ Disease & Creating Through Pain10:49 Surviving Cancer Scares & Staying Grateful13:26 Hustle: Survival & Purpose Over Ambition15:34 Balancing Personal Art with Public Judgment18:33 Childhood Creativity, Web3, and Finding Tribe21:22 Vulnerability, Authenticity & Emotional Walls24:54 How Personal Stories Shape “The Ink Shelf”27:49 Most Vulnerable Moment Writing the Memoir30:14 Collaborating with 50+ Artists How & Why33:59 Trust, Ego, and Lessons from Collaboration36:54 What Most People Get Wrong About Reaching Out40:36 Mistakes, Permission, and Real-World Publishing Lessons47:18 When Mike Almost Gave Up But Didn’t50:57 Dealing with Self-Doubt and Expectations55:02 Staying Connected to Purpose When Things Get Hard57:35 Feedback That Reminded Him Why He Started58:54 What “The Ink Shelf” Represents59:42 Advice to Anyone Creating Through Pain1:06:17 What ClockingOut Means to Mike1:09:01 Final Thoughts & Wrap-UpFollow, and subscribe here: https://linktr.ee/ClockingOutPodcast Join the movement real stories from real creators turning passion into purpose.Don’t forget to hit follow, like, and share to support independent voices.